A cautious buying sentiment and selective demand dominated the Kochi tea auction market, leading to a decline in prices of popular grades across both categories.Traders said export demand for orthodox leaf teas remained subdued in Sale 23, as West Asia buyers adopted a wait-and-watch approach in anticipation of further price corrections. The auction platform has also started receiving new crop arrivals, adding to expectations of further price drop. The escalating crisis in West Asia has further prompted buyers in the region to defer tea purchases.Domestic demand was also affected by the closure of hotels and roadside eateries following an LPG shortage, traders said.Dust market downAnil George, President of the Tea Trade Association of Cochin, said well-made liquoring teas continued to attract buyer interest, while prices of popular grades declined by ₹1–2 per kg. The auction underscored sustained demand for teas with strong quality, brightness and liquoring characteristics, whereas secondary and poorly manufactured teas remained under pressure. Buyers were largely focused on select quality segments offering value, where competition was relatively moderate.The auctioneers Forbes, Ewart& Figgis said that CTC dust market was down by ₹2 per kg with good liquoring teas steady to firm and sometimes lower. The offered quantity was 5,98,527 kg, witnessing a sales percentage of 79. All blenders together absorbed 70 per cent of the total CTC quantity sold. The average price realisation was down by ₹2 per kg at ₹152.48 compared to ₹154.91 in the previous week.The offered quantity in orthodox grades was 1,96,900 kg with whole leaf and brokens was firm to dearer. Wile others were lower and irregular, noticing some withdrawals. Exporters to Middle East and CIS countries lent only useful support.Published on June 5, 2026